UNR Volleyball Players Caught in SJSU Title IX Scandal

Players allege 'horrible' treatment and 'emotional blackmail' from university administrators

Feb. 4, 2026 at 8:23am

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In fall 2024, the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) women's volleyball team found itself embroiled in the national controversy surrounding the San Jose State (SJSU) trans athlete scandal. UNR players expressed a desire to forfeit their match against SJSU, but were allegedly pressured by the university to play. Players and parents have now come forward with allegations of 'horrible' treatment, 'emotional blackmail,' and lack of Title IX support from UNR administrators during this ordeal.

Why it matters

The UNR volleyball saga highlights the complex and divisive issues surrounding transgender participation in women's sports. It also raises concerns about how universities handle sensitive Title IX matters and protect the rights of student-athletes who voice concerns about fairness and safety.

The details

According to testimony, UNR administrators met with the volleyball team in October 2024 to inform them the school would not be forfeiting the upcoming match against SJSU, despite four other schools having already done so. UNR players privately expressed a desire to forfeit as well, but were allegedly told there could be 'legal issues' if they refused to play. The meeting had no Title IX officer present, which the players' parent described as 'very concerning.' UNR later warned the players of potential 'legal issues' if they did not play SJSU, which one witness alleged amounted to 'emotional blackmail.' The players ultimately did meet with conservative figures like Riley Gaines, drawing concern from UNR athletics staff.

  • On October 7, 2024, UNR administrators met with the women's volleyball team.
  • On October 12, 2024, UNR's athletics director acknowledged the school's Title IX officer was not present at the October 7 meeting.
  • The UNR volleyball match against SJSU was originally scheduled for October 26, 2024, but was later moved to San Jose.
  • Just a day before the rescheduled match, UNR announced they would forfeit due to not having enough players willing to compete.
  • UNR finished the 2024 season 12-17 and well out of the postseason picture.

The players

Sia Liilii

Former UNR women's volleyball captain who called the October 7, 2024 meeting a 'horrible' experience.

April Chainey

Mother of a UNR player at the time who filed a Title IX complaint to the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, stating she was 'traumatized' by the university's handling of the situation.

Marshi Smith

Former NCAA swimmer and co-founder of the Independent Council on Women's Sports (ICONS), who alleged there was 'sweeping intimidation' of the UNR players to play against SJSU.

Stephanie Rempe

UNR athletics director who acknowledged the school's Title IX officer was not present at the critical October 7 meeting.

Blaire Fleming

The trans athlete at the center of the SJSU scandal that enveloped the UNR volleyball team.

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What they’re saying

“This meeting was horrible. It took place after the school decided to make a choice for us and it was uncomfortable. They told us there was no advantage by Blaire because she was on estrogen and testosterone blockers in order to level the playing field. A bunch of the girls and I expressed not wanting to play for the reasons of safety, fairness, and an opportunity for women in sports being taken away by a male athlete. Instead of supporting this decision we were told that maybe we should think about all the 'facts' first in case we wanted to reconsider.”

— Sia Liilii, Former UNR women's volleyball captain (Fox News Digital)

“I just couldn't believe it. UNR Athletics Department discriminated by not suggesting or offering a Title IX officer to be present... I was mad, really mad. I felt like there was nobody there to protect the teams and the players... they really dismissed [the player's voices] because their voice did not fit in the NCAA gender ideology agenda.”

— April Chainey, Mother of a UNR player (Fox News Digital)

“There was sweeping intimidation for the girls on UNR's volleyball team to stand down on their decision not to play San Jose State University. There were multiple different tactics, from emotional blackmail to even insinuation that legal disputes could be brought.”

— Marshi Smith, Former NCAA swimmer and co-founder of ICONS (Fox News Digital)

What’s next

The U.S. Department of Education has launched an investigation into potential Title IX violations by both SJSU and UNR related to this incident. Nevada's governor is also leading an effort to amend the state's constitution to restrict transgender athletes from competing in women's sports.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex and divisive issues surrounding transgender participation in women's sports, as well as the need for universities to properly support and protect student-athletes who voice concerns about fairness and safety. It also raises questions about how schools handle sensitive Title IX matters and the potential consequences for mishandling such situations.